Help Our Vaccinators Pedal Toward Change

Our previous updates have highlighted the bicycles, the training, and the logistics. But I want to emphasise that the true story of this project is not about us at the Rural Poultry Centre, it is about the community-based vaccinators (CBVs) who do the work in the villages.

Our network of CBVs has continued to grow and strengthen. These are local women and men trained to vaccinate village chickens against Newcastle disease - the single most devastating threat to poultry in rural Malawi. Chickens are important and most rural households raise them. They are a source of protein, income, and resilience. When Newcastle disease strikes, flocks can be wiped out in days, and with them, a family's livelihood.

The bicycles we distributed earlier this year have made a real difference already. CBVs who used to walk for hours between villages can now reach more households in less time. This means more chickens vaccinated, more families protected, more food on the table, and more kids' school fees paid. The impact is that simple and effective.

The CBVs  are the ones who knock on doors, explain the importance of vaccination, and return time after time to ensure flocks are protected. We provide the training, and where we can the bikes, but it is their dedication that turns this into impact.

At RPC we have other initiatives, but we know that behind it all, Newcastle disease prevention is the single most impactful intervention we offer. Help us stand behind the CBVs who make it happen.

Pat Boland

Director of the Rural Poultry Centre

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• Why it matters - in brief.

We are delighted to share an exciting update on our "Pushbikes for Poultry Vaccinators" project. Thanks to your generous support through GlobalGiving, we have successfully procured and distributed more bicycles to Community-Based Vaccinators (CBVs) in Dowa West district.

The bicycles were handed over in January this year to vaccinators working across four areas: Nambuna, Chisepo, Madisi, and Bowe. The distribution day was a joyful celebration, marking a new chapter in their vital work protecting village chickens from seasonal and deadly Newcastle disease.

The impact since then has been remarkable. Previously, our vaccinators walked for hours under the hot sun, limiting how many households they could reach and risking the integrity of their temperature-sensitive vaccines. Now, with their bicycles, they are visiting up to three times more households per day. Travel times have been reduced, meaning the vaccines spend less time in the heat and remain potent and effective. This directly translates to healthier flocks, better food security, and increased income for the families they serve.

Beyond the logistics, the bicycles have boosted morale tremendously. The CBVs feel recognized and equipped as true professionals. One vaccinator from Chisepo, Agnes, shared:

"Before, I would wake at 3 a.m. and sometimes reach only two villages. Now I visit all on my list! I've vaccinated more chickens in three months than all of last year. This bicycle is a blessing."

Her enthusiasm is echoed across all four areas. Our vaccinators are not only saving more chickens but also sharing vital advice with farmers, strengthening entire communities.

 We are deeply grateful to every donor who made these bicycles possible. They are already hard at work, pedalling towards healthier flocks, boosting local food security, and brighter futures as well as putting a smile on the faces of our dedicated vaccinators. While we celebrate this progress, the need remains great, with many more CBVs in neighbouring areas still relying on foot power. We look forward to continuing this vital work and sharing more success stories with you.

Thank you for being part of this journey.